Small ruminant breed in Morocco

Transcription

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Characterization of Small Ruminant Breeds in North Africa
Chapter Two
Small Ruminant Breeds of Morocco
Ismail Boujenane
Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
Introduction
Agriculture plays an important role in Morocco. According to official statistics,
there are 8.7 million hectares of agricultural land of which 14.4% are irrigated, 5
million are forest, and 23 million are pasture (Ministere de l’Agriculture 1998).
Depending on climatic conditions, agriculture, including forestry and deep-sea
fishing, annually contributes between 12% and 24% to the national GDP. In 1998,
the country’s GDP was US$35,546 million and the agricultural GDP was around
US$5,688 million (Secrétariat d’Etat à la Population 1999). Agriculture also
employs 3.4 million people, which represents 40% of the total active population,
and 76% of the rural active population (Ministere des Plans 1994).
Livestock is one of the most important components of agriculture. Its contribution to the agricultural GDP ranges from 20% to 25%. It employs 20% of the
active rural population and secures the industry and artisanal sectors with products
such as milk, meat, wool, and skins. Moreover, animal products represent 35% of
total food consumption. Livestock production is practiced on 1,100,123 farms,
representing 74% of the total number of agricultural farms (1,496,349 farms)
(Ministere de l’Agriculture 1998).
Small ruminants have an important economic and social role. Their estimated
contribution to the country’s GDP varies from 1.5% to 2%. There are 781,563
farms practicing sheep production, representing 52% of all agricultural farms and
71% of all livestock farms (all species). Farms practicing goat production number
301,897, representing 20% of total agricultural farms and 27% of livestock farms
(Table 1) (Ministere de l’Agriculture 1998).
Small ruminants are raised by both farmers who own land and those who are
without land:
• Landless farmers keep 7.9% of the total number of sheep and 12.7% of the
total number of goats.
• Farmers that have less than 1 ha of land keep 8.2% of sheep and 15.4% of goats.
• Farmers that have 1-10 ha of land keep 47.8% of sheep and 55.2% of goats.
• Farmers that have 10-100 ha of land keep 33.4% of sheep and 16.2% of goats.
• Farmers that have more than 100 ha of land keep 2.7% of sheep and 0.5% of
goats.
Moreover, 61% of farmers have less than 20 sheep, 34% own from 20 to 50
sheep and 5% have more than 50 sheep. Also, 78% of farmers have less than 20
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Table 1. Number of farms and sheep and goats per land area.
Land area, h
0
Area < 1
1 ≤ Area < 3
3 ≤ Area < 5
5 ≤ Area < 10
10 ≤ Area < 20
20 ≤ Area < 50
50 ≤ Area < 100
Area ≥ 100
Total
Number of
farms
Sheep
Number of
Sheep
% of
sheep
43,169
140,435
205,623
124,448
144,834
81,739
33,823
5,511
1,981
781,563
1,324,573
1,377,739
2,632,203
2,080,318
3,288,286
2,895,678
2,056,609
623,981
447,287
16,726,674
7.92
8.24
15.74
12.44
19.66
17.31
12.30
3.73
2.67
100.00
Number of
farms
Goat
Number of
goats
% of
goats
22,213
56,603
85,477
45,732
48,702
27,617
12,694
2,178
681
301,897
723,079
880,028
1,379,242
827,030
943,351
564,994
290,897
67,490
27,398
5,703,509
12.68
15.43
24.18
14.50
16.54
9.91
5.10
1.18
0.48
100.00
Source: Ministere de l’Agriculture (1998).
goats and 22% own from 20 to 40 goats. The overall national average flock size is
21sheep/farm and 19 goats/farm. However, these averages change with farm size.
For example, average flock size is 31 sheep and 32 goats for farmers without land
and 225 sheep and 40 goats for those having more than 100 ha (Table 1).
In 1999, meat production from sheep and goats was 110,000 tons and 20,000
tons, respectively, representing 38.6% and 7.0%, respectively, of the total red
meat produced. Annual human consumption of sheep meat and goat meat was
4.64 kg and 1.07 kg, respectively. Goat milk production was estimated at 30 million liters in 1994. This is 4% of all milk production with most used for domestic
consumption (Ministere de l’Agriculture 2000).
In 1994, wool production from sheep was 36,000 tons and hair production
from goats was 2 tons (FAO 1994). The number of skins produced from sheep
and goats was approximately 5 million and 1.5 million, respectively.
Sheep and Goat Population Statistics
Sheep and goat populations were estimated at 16,576,400 and 5,114,400 head,
respectively in 1999 (Table 2). In comparing the change in sheep and goat numbers over the last three decades, sheep
stabilized at approximately 16 million Table 2. Number of sheep and goats per
head while the goat population never
year.
reached more than 8 million head with Year
Sheep, head
Goat, head
a three decade average of under 5.5
1970
16,843,000
8,000,000
million head.
1975
14,271,000
5,736,406
The decrease in goat numbers is
1980
16,509,800
6,153,000
attributed to drought, reduction of
1985
12,862,000
4,662,155
range area to the advantage of agricul- 1990
16,627,000
5,673,000
1995
16,586,000
4,423,000
ture, pasture degradation, and change
1999
16,576,400
5,114,400
to sheep production and trade because
Source: Ministere de l'Agriculture (2000)
of the latter being more profitable.
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Small Ruminant Distribution
In general, sheep and goats are found in all regions of the country, but with different
frequencies (Table 3). The four administrative regions of Marrakech-Tensift-Haouz,
Région orientale, Meknès-Tafilalet, and Chaouia-Ouardigha have 49.4% of the
sheep population; the five administrative regions of Souss-Massa-Draâ, MarrakechTensift-Haouz, Meknès-Tafilalet, Tanger-Tetouan, and Tadla-Azilalhave have over
66% of the goat population (Ministere de l’Agriculture 2000).
Table 3. Distribution of sheep and goats per administrative region.
Administrative region
Sheep
Number
Guelmim-Smara
Souss-Massa-Draâ
Gharb-Cherarda-Beni Ahsen
Chaoui-Ouardigha
Marrakech-Tensift-Haouz
Région orientale
Casablanca
Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer
Doukkala-Abda
Tadla-Azilal
Meknès-Tafilalet
Fès-Boulmane
Taza-Hoceima-Taounate
Tanger-Tetouan
Total
103,600
1,394,100
937,200
1,891,600
2,294,500
2,055,100
100,800
750,800
1,547,700
993,600
1,949,300
839,600
1,198,600
519,900
16,576,400
Goats
%
0.62
8.41
5.65
11.40
13.80
12.40
0.60
4.53
9.34
5.99
11.80
5.06
7.23
3.14
100.00
Number
142,100
1,181,200
20,700
93,400
800,900
378,300
1,300
141,300
42,900
435,000
657,900
233,300
400,500
585,600
5,114,400
%
2.78
23.10
0.40
1.83
15.70
7.40
0.02
2.76
0.84
8.50
12.90
4.56
7.83
11.40
100.00
Source: Ministere de l'Agriculture (2000).
Sheep and Goat Breeds
There is a great diversity of sheep breeds that are well adapted to the local environment. The well-regarded breeds are Timahdite, Beni Guil, Sardi, D’man, Beni Ahsen,
and Boujaâd. Lesser known breeds are grouped under the name of Atlas Mountain or
Berber breeds. This group includes breeds that were mentioned by French researchers
during colonization. They have not yet been characterized and defined and are almost
ignored. Among these breeds, are the Aknoul, Ait Barka, Marmoucha, Tounfite, Ait
Mohad, Ait Haddidou, Rahhali, and Siroua. In addition to these native breeds some
exogenous breeds are also found in Morocco, the most important being the Algerian
Ouled Jellal introduced at the end of the 1970s. The others are French meat breeds
used for terminal crossbreeding: Ile de France, Mérinos Précoce, and Lacaune.
Goat breeds have not been officially identified. The native animals, also
referred to as the Atlas Mountain breed, constitute the majority of the goat population. However, in 1982, the D’man goat was identified in the Ouarzazate region
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(Ezzahiri and Ben Lakhal 1989). Also, as for sheep, some exogenous Alpine,
Saanen, Murcia, Malagueña, and Andalouse breeds are present in small numbers,
as well as crosses resulting from uncontrolled mating in the north of the country.
The only official census that included the number of each particular breed of
sheep was conducted in 1996-97 (Ministere de l’Agriculture 1998). Before that,
only approximate numbers were available. Thus, Fournier (1977) reported an estimated 0.7 million head of Timahdite sheep, 1.5 million Beni Guil, and Sardi adult
females tallied 0.5 million head. However, Marie and Lahlou-Kassi (1977) reported
Timahdite sheep at 2.6 million head, representing 15% of the total Moroccan sheep
population. Aldebert (1957) reported that Atlas Mountain sheep represented 60% to
70% of Morocco’s total sheep population. However, the 1998 general agricultural
census found that the Atlas Mountain breeds comprised only 12.1% of the total
sheep population (n = 16,726,675 animals). The Timahdite, Beni Guil, Sardi,
D’man, Beni Ahsen, and Boujaâd, represented 11.4%, 8.97%, 12.9%, 3.69%,
2.30%, and 1.42%, respectively. The Algerian Ouled Jellal comprised 4.30% of the
sheep population, with the other exogenous breeds born in Morocco (almost 10,000
head, raised in 25 registered flocks) and sheep crosses represent the remaining 43%.
Since 1970 the Timahdite population has stabilized, the Beni Guil have
decreased slightly and the Beni Ahsen has decreased tremendously. The main reason for the Beni Ahsen’s decrease is the irrigation that gave rise to very intensive
agricultural practices such as dairy cattle production and fruit tree cultivation.
The statistics available for goats recorded only the total number of goats without distinguishing between breeds (n = 5,703,509 animals). However, the previously mentioned Ezzahiri and Ben Lakhal research reported the D’man goat population at approximately 20,000 head.
In 1999 sheep and goats, from Table 3, represented 76 and 24%, respectively, of the
total population of small ruminants of the country (Ministere de l’Agriculture 2000).
Breed Ecosystem Distribution
Each breed of sheep is located in a breeding area, or berceau de race (Figure 1):
• Timahdite: Middle Atlas and neighboring Ifrane, Khémisset, Khénifra,
Meknès, Fès, Boulemane, Beni Mellal, and Azilal.
• Beni Guil: Eastern region: Oujda, Figuig and Boulemane.
• Sardi: Central Plateau: Settat, Khouribga, Kelaa des Sraghna and Beni Mellal.
• D’man: oases of the South: Errachidia (Ziz valley) and Ouarzazate (Draa and
Dadès valleys).
• Beni Ahsen: north-western Morocco: Kenitra, Sidi Kacem and Larache.
• Boujaâd: the Central Plateau: Khouribga and Beni Mellal.
• Ouled Jellal: Eastern region: Oujda and Figuig.
• Atlas Mountain breeds: mountains mainly the Middle and High Atlas: Taza,
Azilal, Midelt, Marrakech and Agadir.
• Goats: High Atlas, Middle Atlas and Rif.
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Figure 1. Distribution areas of breeds of small ruminants in Morocco.
Source: Compiled by author.
The ecosystems are described in Table 4.
Production Systems
Sheep production systems in Morocco are classified according to the type of feed
resources employed. The prevailing production systems include the pastoral, the
agropastoral (mixed crop-livestock), and the oasis (Table 5). In rainy years, these
systems represent 60%, 35%, and 5%, respectively, of the prevailing production
systems (A. El Aich, personal communication, Institut Agronomique et
Vétérinaire Hassan II 2000). In dry years the pastoral system may represent as little as 30% of the total production system.
The pastoral system is characterized by the predominance of forage resources
from rangelands (over 50% of total feed resources). This production system represents 40% of the sheep population in Morocco. In this system sheep spend from 8
to 12 months on the range and eventually move to cropping land where they graze
weedy fallow, and/or stubble and other crop residues. Most of these rangelands
are under a collective system, with grazing rights allocated to the tribes over often
poorly delimited territories. In the Middle Atlas, transhumance is still practiced.
Pastoralists move at the end of spring from the drier lowland to the higher mountain grasslands and forests.
In the eastern plateau, sheep flocks are on the range almost all year round. In
this region, supplementation is regularly provided during the nutritionally defi-
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Table 4. Ecosystems under which the breeds produce.
Breed
Brief description of the systems
Timahdite
Middle Atlas mountain with > 500 mm rain: Winters are cold with periods of snow (temperatures to 10°C) and summers are relatively mild
(temperatures to 30°C); feeding is based on range except during snow
periods; water sources are plentiful; critical times are the snow periods.
Beni Guil
Semi-arid eastern plateau and Moulouya basin from 100 to 250 mm
rain: Winters are cold (temperatures to 10°C) and summers hot (temperatures to 35°C); feeding is based on 100% range; grazing is limited
by availability of watering points; critical periods include summer and
fall.
Sardi
Semi-arid central plateau < 300 mm rain: Winters are cold (temperatures to 15°C) and summers are very hot (temperatures to 40°C); feeding is based on range, but in irrigated regions is also based on fallow,
stubble, and crop residues; grazing is limited by the availability of
watering points; critical period is summer.
D'man
Oases of south Morocco: Temperatures in winter and summer are mild
(extreme temperatures are 10°C and 25°C); 100% confinement; water
and feed (alfalfa, palm date) ad libitum.
Beni Ahsen
Mamora forest and northern Atlantic coast 500 mm rain: Temperatures
are mild, 16°C in winter and 28°C in summer; feeding is based on forest, fallow, stubble, and crop residues.
Boujaâd
Semi-arid central plateau < 300 mm rain: Winters are cold (to 15°C)
and summers are hot (to 40°C); feeding is based on range and stubble;
grazing is limited by the availability of watering points; critical period
is summer.
Atlas Mountain
breeds
Middle and high Atlas mountains > 500 mm rain: Winters are cold and
summers are mild; feeding is based on poor-quality range, forest, and
meadow; critical period is winter.
Goats
Middle and high Atlas mountains and Rif mountain > 400 mm rain:
Winters are cold and summers are mild; feeding is based on poor-quality range and Argan (Argana spinosa) trees in the south; critical periods
are winter and summer.
cient periods that occur in summer and part of the autumn and winter seasons.
In the Middle Atlas, the feed calendar is usually organized as a grazing
sequence that follows stubble and fallow (September-October), lowland ranges
(November-June), and highland ranges (July-August).
The agropastoral system (mixed crop/livestock) is the main system in areas producing cereals and legumes for domestic human and animal consumption. In this
system, farm agriculture provides a major part of the flock’s total feed requirement.
Milk
Intensive
Note: AM: Atlas Montain
Meat, skin
and milk
Pastoral
Goats
Meat and wool
Meat and wool
Meat and manure
Meat and wool
Meat and wool
Meat, wool
and skin
Pastoral
Pastoral
Oasis
Agropastoral
Agropastoral
Pastoral
Timahdite
Beni Guil
D'man
Beni Ahsen
Boujaâd
AM sheep
Main products
Production
systems
Breed
Very high demand, particularly for cheese making. At present, the number of
farms that make cheese for sale is increasing, because the demand is increasing
in big cities. This trend will continue in the future.
Demand for meat is high in the rural regions but still low in the cities. However,
there is at present a slight change, since some people in the cities prefer to consume goat meat because of its low cholesterol content. The demand for skins is
high because of usage for crafts. It is mainly used for household consumption
The demand for meat is high. During Aid Al Adha, more than 4 million sheep
are slaughtered. At present, sheep meat production is around 110,000 tons, and
with the increase in the population, the need in 2010 will be about 150,000 tons.
This is an annual increase in sheep meat production of 2.6%. The price of sheep
meat is, in general, high relative to income. However, in 1999 the price
decreased slightly because a drought caused more sheep to be slaughtered, also
increasing consumption. Wool is considered a by-product. Its price is low
because its quality is concidered low, and hence not of interest for textile facto
ries. It is used in the carpet industry. On the other hand, because of its less
attractive price, approximately 40% of farmers use wool for their domestic
needs. The demand for sheep manure is high in the oasis. It is mainly used as a
fertilizer in agriculture
Current market demand and market
possibilities
Table 5. Production systems, main products, demand, and market possibilities.
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This includes cereal by-products such as straw and stubble, early barley grazing,
weeds, fallow, cereal and legume grains, cultivated forages, and other by-products.
The contribution of rangeland is sometimes limited and varying amounts of feed can
be bought from the market. Because animals in the agropastoral system depend
heavily on farm production for their feed, flock movements are usually limited.
Two cases are presented to illustrate the sheep feed calendar under the agropastoral system. In the cereal-producing zone under rainfed agriculture a sequence
including straw and range (September-January); fallow and range (February-May);
and stubble (June-September). In contrast, in the irrigated area the sequence includes
straw, alfalfa hay, dried sugar beet tops and leaves, green barley, and concentrates
(October-February); pastures and fallow (March-May); and stubble (June-September).
The oasis system is a specific system limited to the Moroccan oases and characterized by intensive irrigated agriculture, the production of alfalfa following the
cereal crop, and the production of D’ man sheep. The feed calendar in this system
includes: fresh alfalfa (March-September); and alfalfa hay, straw, and waste palm
dates (October-February).
The predominant goat production system in Morocco is based almost exclusively on range feeding. This provides 75% to 97% of annual animal requirements, depending on climatic conditions of the year and/or regions. Feed regimes
for goats are similar to those of sheep, except that goats are supplemented only
during the kidding period. However, goats graze in the forest more than sheep.
Goats are very often kept with sheep, and approximately 50% of farmers have
flocks constituted of sheep and goats. This practice is used mainly in the pastoral
system because nutritional preferences of the species are different and they do not
compete for the same pasture content.
Main Products and Market Possibilities
The main sheep product is meat. In 1999, sheep produced 110,000 tons of meat.
During the same year, consumption of sheep meat was 4.6 kg/person. Goat production is also primarily for meat. In 1999, production was at 20,000 tons with
consumption of goat meat at 1.1 kg/person (Table 6).
Nationally, production and consumption of sheep milk is very low, only 8% of
sheep farmers milk their ewes, and all milk produced is for domestic consumption. In the oases, sheep are also used to produce manure that is used as a fertilizer because soils are very salty. Wool is considered a by-product and production is
about 36,000 tons (FAO 1994).
In spring, some goats are milked for two to three months, and the milk is used
for domestic consumption. Recently, an intensive system aimed at improving milk
production from goats has been introduced around some of the larger cities, mainly Chefchaouen and Tetouan, where there is a tradition for cheese consumption.
This system uses exotic goats from Spain (Murciana, Granadina, and Malaga) or
their crosses.
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Table 6. Production, human consumption, and price for sheep and goat meat.
Year
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
1999
Sheep meat
Production Human consumption
tons
kg/ person/year
74,772
71,613
69,185
113,896
95,669
103,964
110,000
3.5
2.7
3.0
2.6
3.7
4.1
4.6
Price
DH/kg
7.80
12.0
18.4
31.9
33.1
48.0
52.8
Goat meat
Production Human consumption
tons
kg/person/year
12,380
15,770
9,090
23,440
14,570
20,320
20,000
1.5
1.1
0.8
0.8
0.9
0.7
1.1
Source: Ministere de l'Agriculture (2000).
Note: 1 US$ = 10.5 Dirhams.
A general assessment of the market and demand for the produce of sheep and
goats is shown in Table 5. The prospects are promising, particularly for meat and
milk.
The prices for small ruminant products and live animals change from year to
year according to climatic conditions. In rainy years when pasture is available,
farmers tend to keep their animals for longer periods in order to sell at a heavier
weight. Prices for animals and products then increase. However, when the agricultural outlook is unfavorable, farmers tend to sell their animals quickly because
of a lack of available feed or pasture and the resulting low prices. Some approximate prices are given in Table 7.
Genetic Diversity Risk
Given the past lack of breed statistics it is not known if there is an increase or a
decrease in any particular breed population. What is certain, however, is that the
Beni Ahsen and Atlas Mountain breeds, and perhaps also the Beni Guil, have
decreased tremendously in numbers (Table 8).
Of the threatened breeds, the Beni Ahsen is located in an irrigated area where
farmers prefer to engage in agriculture, which is more profitable than livestock
Table 7. Small-ruminant products' approximate prices at consumer level.
Products
Meat, kg
Milk, litter
Cheese, kg
Fattened lamb/head
Live female, head
Source: Organized by author.
Note: 1 US$= 10.5 Dirhams.
Price
Sheep
Goats
52 DH≅4.95 US$
Unknown
Unknown
500 to 700 DH
400 to 700 DH
45 DH≅4.3 US$
Unknown
40 DH≅3.8 US$
400 to 600 DH
300 to 600 DH
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production. Most farmers that raise livestock also prefer dairy cattle. The Atlas
Mountain breeds, also threatened, are largely ignored because of their low productivity, and the Beni Guil breed is under risk because it competes with the Ouled
Jellal in the same area. The latter breed seems to realize higher productivity under
good conditions (Table 8).
As mentioned, the goat population, at a high of 8 million head in 1970, has
declined over the last three decades, but has stabilized at around 5 million head.
Table 8. Basic information available on the breeds in Morocco and genetic diversity
risk levels.
Breed
Availability of docu- % Population
mented
change
Risk level
information
1970-1996
Timahdite Available in relation
to several production aspects
Stable
Comments
No risk
Population is stabilizing in view of
the breed's growth ability and adaptation to various environments.
Beni Guil
Available, but on the Slight
basis of limited
decrease
studies
High
Concurrence with Ouled Jellal
breed in the same area.
Sardi
Available in relation
Increase
No risk
Population is increasing in view of
the breed's growth and carcass
ability.
D'man
Available in relation
Stable
Elevated
inbreeding
Region isolated from main large
centers.
Beni
Ahsen
Available, but on the Decrease
basis of limited
studies conducted
during 1970's
High
Displacement because of irrigation
plans that gave place to dairy cattle production.
Boujaâd
Currently under
evaluation
na
No risk
the breed's growth ability.
Atlas
Mountain
breeds
Not available; a few
characterization
studies conducted
from 1930 to 1950
Decrease
Extremely
high risk of
erosion
Region isolated from main urban
centers, harsh environment, crossbreeding with other native breeds
to improve performance.
Ouled
Jellal
Not available,
because the breed
has not yet studied
in Morocco
+100
No risk
the breed's growth and fattening
abilities in intensive conditions.
Goats
Available, but on the -28.7
basis of limited
studies conducted in
the field
No risk
Reduction of pasture, concurrence
with sheep.
Note: na: not available.
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Status of Small Ruminant Breed Characterization
Some sheep breeds such as the D’man, Timahdite, and Sardi have been well studied and characterized (Table 8), and have undergone on-station and on-farm characterization. However, the majority of the studies have been concerned with
aspects such as preweaning growth and some reproductive traits. The other breeds
are either not characterized or need further studies on-station as well as on-farm.
Several institutions in Morocco have the capabilities to perform characterization
studies on the different breeds of small ruminants; these include: SNDE (Société
Nationale du Développement de l’Elevage), DPA (Direction Provinciale d’Agriculture),
INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique), ANOC (Association Nationale
Ovine et Caprine) and ORMVA (Office Régional de Mise en Valeur Agricole).
Although with similar capability, the Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II was
not included because at present its flocks are composed of crossbred sheep.
Institutions that keep genealogically controlled flocks and conduct breeding programs are listed in Table 9, along with flock size and the location of the station.
Table 9. Institutions that keep genealogically controlled flocks/herds.
Breed
Location
Institution
Timahdite
Sidi Aissa
Tizitine
Oulmès
SNDE1
Beni Guil
Ain Guettara (Missour) DPA2 de Missour
Goutittir (Oujda)
DPA2 de Oujda
Sardi
Kra Kra (El Brouj)
Ferme de Tadla
Deroua (Beni Mellal)
D'man
Number of heads
Availability of
under control
breeding programs
600
250
250
Yes
Yes
Yes
100
100
Yes
Yes
DPA2 de Settat
IAV Hassan II4
INRA3
200
100
100
Yes
Yes
Yes
Errachidia
Ouarzazate
Ferme de Tadla
INRA3
ORMVA5 de Ouarzazate
IAV Hassan II4
100
100
40
Yes
Yes
Yes
Beni Ahsen
None
None
None
No
Boujaâd
Deroua (Beni Mellal)
INRA
200
Yes
AM sheep
None
None
None
No
Ouled Jellal
None
None
None
No
AM Goats
None
None
None
No
D'man goats
Ouarzazate
ORMVA de Ouarzazate
30
No
3
Notes: 1SNDE: Société Nationale du Développement de l'Elevage; 2DPA: Direction Provinciale d'Agriculture; 3INRA: Institut
National de la Recherche Agronomique; 4IAV Hassan II: Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II; 5ORMVA: Office
Régional de Mise en Valeur Agricole; AM: Atlas Mountain.
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Sheep Breed Characterization
General Aspects
Sheep production in Morocco often occurs under traditional and extensive conditions. Traditional management practices for breeding, feeding, and health maintenance largely dominates and in spite of some improvements productivity/ewe is
still low.
There is, generally speaking, no control over the mating process and rams are
with ewes all year with lambing occurring throughout the year. Climatic variability
and the resulting risk of concentrating lambing at a given period dictate this practice. In addition, the permanent presence of rams in the flocks allows for the possibility of a second lambing for some ewes. In spite of this practice, a 1975 national
survey reported that 78% of lambing takes place between October and April.
Recently control over mating has been practiced by some large livestock owners
who separate the rams from the flock in order to avoid lambing in the winter and
hence avoid the resulting higher mortality risk. After lambing, there is no set weaning of lambs and they are left with the ewes until the latter are completely dry.
Most of the shearing is undertaken from April to June when the temperatures
are warm and when the demand for labor by other agricultural activities is low. In
the southern part of the country however, where high temperatures start earlier in
the year sheep shearing is conducted from February to March.
Feedlot fattening operations are limited to government farms or to some specialized livestock dealers that operate in the vicinity of large cities. Fattening is
also undertaken in preparation for religious celebrations, in particular the Eid. For
this purpose, many large livestock owners keep the male lambs of their flock
and/or buy many thin males and fatten them during a three to six month period.
For cultural and religious reasons the animals to be fattened are never castrated.
The feed used in feedlots is usually composed of straw, beet pulp, wheat bran,
barley, and possibly sunflower cake, urea or molasses. Weight gain is variable
depending mainly on the animal’s age and the level of nutrition.
The results summarized in the characterization details of the breeds take into
account available information. Some of this may not specify numbers making the
estimates and measurements of variation.
The majority of the growth performance literature on local Moroccan breeds is
concerned with preweaning weights. Only a few researchers have extended their
studies beyond weaning. The studies on the fattening and carcass characteristics
of local sheep breeds, relate to lambs that were started on the fattening process a
few days after weaning and slaughtered six to eight weeks later.
As mentioned earlier, sheep are generally not milked, except for some farmers
that milk a few ewes for their households. Nevertheless, milk production of local
breeds was studied in order to gain an understanding of their milk potential and
some of these studies included. Two methods were used for the estimation of milk
466
production: weighing the lamb before and after suckling (WBAS) and the oxytocin (a hormone that stimulates milk secretion) injection method.
Breed Comparisons
In comparing Moroccan local sheep breeds, we notice that Sardi and Beni Ahsen
had the greatest size, Timahdite, Beni Guil and Boujaâd were of medium size, and
D’man and Atlas Mountain breeds were the smallest (Table 10). The D’man breed
distinguishes by a precocious puberty, high prolificacy, short postpartum anoestrus
and long sexual season. Other main characteristics of the breeds are included in
Table 10. All local breeds are well adapted to their local conditions. However,
Sardi and Beni Guil are better adapted to higher temperatures, the D’man to conditions in the oases, and the Atlas Mountain breeds to the harsh conditions in the
high mountains.
Table 10. Selected characteristics of local sheep breeds.
Breed
Timahdite
Size rank1
Meat production rank2
Prolificacy rank3
Fleece rank4
Tail
Fleece's color
Head-face's color
Ears' length rank5
Milk production rank6
2
1
3
3
Thin
White
Brown,
3
1
Beni Guil
Sardi
D'man Beni Ahsen Boujaâd
Atlas
3
1
4
1
2
5
1
1
3
2
1
3
4
2
1
3
2
5
3
2
5
1
2
4
Thin & short Thin Thin & long Thin
Thin
Thin
White
White
ns
White
White
Black‡
Brown
White†
Black‡ Brown White-W§ ns
3
3
1
2
3
4
3
1
3
2
2
4
Notes: Ranks: 1from the heaviest (1) to the lightest (5) body size; 2from the best (1) to the worst (3) meat production performance; 3from the most prolific (1) to the less prolific (5); 4from the best (1) to worst (5) fleece quality; 5from the longest (1) to the
shortest (4) length of ears; 6from the best (1) to the worst (4) milk production performance.
†with black around nose, mouth and eyes; ‡less dominant colors are brown and white and a mix of these colors; W§ white to yellowish face; ns: not specific.
Timahdite Sheep
The Timahdite breed is valued for high milk production, good conformation, ease
of fattening, and a high carcass yield, along with excellent adaptation. It is considered the country’s best meat breed. Main features of the management of this breed
are given in Table 11.
Characteristic appearance
Timahdite have brown faces, white, coarse fleece, and white legs. The tail is thin
and horns are present in rams, but ewes are polled. Adult rams and ewes generally
have respective height at withers of 60 to 70 cm and 50 to 55 cm.
467
Table 11. Seasonal management features of Timahdite.
Events
Mating
Pregnancy
Lambing
Lactation
Shearing
Grazing
Stubble feeding
Concentrate feeding
Antiparasite treatments
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Timahdite ram
Timahdite ewes
Body weights and growth
Various studies (Table 12) have found weighted average birth weights of
Timahdite lambs at 3.31 kg for males and 3.25 kg for females. At 90 days, the
weighted average weights were 17.6 kg and 16.4 kg, respectively, and one-year
averages were 37.7 kg (n=39) for males and 36.8 kg (n=7) for females (Masbah
1973). The adult weights of rams (age ≥ 2 yr) averaged 57.2 kg (n=8) (Masbah
1973) and the weighted average of ewes (age ≥ 2 yr) 40.6 kg (Arbaoui 1980;
Barkok 1973; Battar 1983; Benoudifa 1980; Lamraoui 1979; Masbah 1973).
During fattening, the average daily gain of Timahdite lambs was 171 g and
feed conversion was 6.2 kg feed/kg weight gain (Boujenane et al. 1996b; El Fadili
1995). When slaughtered at an average of 221 days of age, the average slaughter
weight was 29.8 kg, with an average carcass weight of 14.4 kg, and a dressing
percentage of 48.1% (Boujenane et al. 1996b; El Fadili 1995; Masbah 1973).
Reproduction performance
A study found that Timahdite ewes generally lamb for the first time at around 24.8
months (Ben Lakhal 1983). Three studies found gestation length to average 148
days (Ben Lakhal 1983; Marie and Lahlou-Kassi 1977; Masbah 1973).
Studies from the early 1970s to the early 1990s reported average fertility and
prolificacy levels at 82.4% and 104%, respectively. Lamb survival from birth to 90
days has averaged 84.5% (Table 13).
468
Table 12. Body weights (kg) of Timahdite lambs.
At birth
Males
At 90d
3.30 (2000)
3.30 (693)
3.30 (5805)
2.96 (99)
3.70 (18)
3.66 (104)
3.25 (109)
3.56 (4)
3.30
4.20 (8)
3.80 (14)
3.40 (1212)
3.31 (10066)
16.7 (2111)
20.0 (481)
17.6 (4620)
13.0 (23)
20.4 (18)
20.4 (104)
18.8 (90)
19.1 (4)
16.0
19.2 (8)
22.0 (14)
na
17.6 (7473)
References
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
13
Weighted
average
At birth
Females
At 90d
3.15 (2054)
3.16 (680)
3.29 (5828)
2.95 (80)
3.40 (18)
3.34 (91)
3.05 (108)
3.40
3.20
3.76 (8)
3.40 (14)
3.29 (1194)
3.25 (10075)
15.4 (2162)
18.9 (545)
16.5 (4543)
14.4 (22)
17.4 (18)
17.5 (91)
17.2 (87)
15.2
15.1
16.8 (8)
18.9 (14)
na
16.4 (7492)
References
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Weighted
average
Sources: 1Tijani and Boujenane (1993); 2El Kihal (1990); 3Asrary (1992); 4Ben Lakhal (1983); 5Zari (1979);
6Lamraoui (1979); 7Masbah (1973); 8Chouli and Oukelmoun (1983); 9Bourbouze (1974); 10Bouiala (1977);
11Arbaoui (1980); 12Benoudifa (1980); 13Bendriss (1999).
Notes: In parenthesis the number of records; na: not available.
Table 13. Reproduction performance of Timahdite ewes.
Fertility,%
Prolificacy,%
Litter weight
at 90d, kg
Lamb survival
to 90d, %
85.2 (562)
na
na
na
88.6 (108)
88.0 (616)
92.0 (50)
76.8 (1319)
94.0 (84)
83.3 (7)
90.0 (42)
82.4 (2788)
106 (394)
107 (1255)
105 (4229)
104 (11952)
120 (96)
105 (542)
107 (46)
103 (996)
105 (79)
100 (5)
109 (40)
104 (19634)
12.6 (394)
21.4 (948)
17.1 (4229)
na
21.7 (96)
na
na
na
na
na
15.2 (40)
17.6 (5707)
86.0 (242)
77.0 (752)
85.0 (4671)
na
99.8
90.4 (419)
na
na
na
na
93.0 (44)
84.5 (6128)
Reference
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Weighted Average
Sources: 1Ben Lakhal (1983); 2El Kihal (1990); 3Tijani (1990); 4Asrary (1992); 5El Fadili and Leroy (1997);
6Lamraoui (1979); 7Bourbouze (1974); 8Masbah (1973); 9Arbaoui (1980); 10Chouli and Oukelmoun (1983);
11Boujenane et al. (1998).
Notes: In parenthesis number of records; na: not available.
The low prolificacy levels of this breed were analyzed in a large study of
19,065 Timahdite lambings (Boujenane 1995) recorded litter size at birth from
one to three lambs. Lambings of single litters represented 93.3%, twin litters
6.5%, and triplets 0.1%.
Ewes may lamb at any period of the year, but most (92.5%) occur from
October to January (Figure 2).
469
Figure 2. Lambing distribution throughout the year of Timahdite ewes (n=1106 lambings).
Source: Organized by author from Masbah (1973) and Bourbouze (1974).
Milk production
Three studies of ewes during 14 weeks of lactation found an average milk yield of
just under 138 kg for ewes given injections of oxytocin before milking (n=16),
while ewes who were not injected, but whose lambs were weighed before and
after suckling, had an average yield of 84.3 kg. Dry matter, fat and protein content
in the milk of oxytocin-treated ewes averaged 24%, 11.7% and 5.1%, respectively
(n=16 ewes) (Barkok 1973; Bouiala 1977; Kabbali 1976). Two 12-week lactation
studies also found ewes injected with oxytocin to have a higher average yield of
123.4 kg versus ewes whose lambs were weighed pre- and post-suckling with an
average of 58.3 kg (Battar 1983; Zari 1979).
Wool production
Fleece weight of Timahdite animals was on average 2 kg, fiber diameter was 31.6
mm and the staple length was 8.75 cm. Other fiber traits are shown in Table 14.
Table 14. Wool characteristics of adult Timahdite ewes (age ≥ 2 yr).
Fleece weight, kg Staple length, cm
Fiber diameter
clean wool, %
2.13 (320)
2.23 (119)
1.90 (237)
1.83 (150)
2.02 (826)
31.6 µm (116)
47.6 'S (119)
50.1 'S (210)
na
na
62.5 (103)
1
61.7 (119)
2
60.7 (121)
3
48.0 (150)
4
57.4 (493) Weighted Average
9.64 (75)
na
na
8.3 (150)
8.75 (225)
Sources: 1Abdelali (1988); 2El Hmamsi (1986); 3Laidouni (1986); 4Masbah (1973).
Reference
470
Beni Guil Sheep
The Beni Guil is valued for its excellent conformation and carcass quality. It is
well adapted to the hard environmental conditions in eastern Morocco. The main
management features of the breed are given in Table 15.
Table 15. Seasonal management features of Beni Guil sheep.
Events
Jan
Mating
Pregnancy
Lambing
Lactation
Shearing
Grazing
Stubble feeding
Concentrate feeding
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Beni Guil has a rectangular shape, short neck, brown, large faces, brown legs, and
white, open fleece of medium fineness. The breed is thin-tailed, and rams have
fairly well developed spiral horns.
Adult rams and ewes have respective height at withers of 60 to 65 and 40 to 50 cm.
Studies have shown average birth weights for Beni Guil lambs of 3.32 kg for males and
3.14 kg for females. Ninety-day weight averages were recorded as 16.1 kg and 14.8 kg,
respectively (Table 16). Adult rams and ewes may reach respective body weights of 70
to 90 kg and 45 to 50 kg. The weight range for adult ewes differs from other estimates
based on 131 adult ewes that averaged a lower weight (36.3 kg) (Battar 1983).
A study by Boujenane et al. (1996b) found an average daily gain and feed conversion for Beni Guil lambs during fattening of 215 g and 5.5 kg feed/ kg weightgain, respectively. Slaughtered at 160 days, average weight was 29.1 kg, carcass
Beni Guil rams
Beni Guil ewes
471
Table 16. Body weights (kg) of Beni Guil lambs.
At birth
3.24 (1109)
3.48 (101)
3.57 (16)
3.10 (44)
3.50 (466)
3.73 (5)
na
3.32 (1741)
Males
At 90d
16.0 (1109)
16.1 (43)
na
15.0 (44)
16.6 (436)
15.7 (5)
13.5 (24)
16.1 (1661)
Females
Reference
At birth
At 90d
3.03 (1106)
3.15 (116)
3.37 (16)
3.10 (34)
3.28 (791)
3.10 (7)
na
3.14 (2070)
14.6 (1106)
1
14.0 (44)
2
na
3
15.0 (34)
4
15.3 (466)
5
14.9 (7)
6
12.9 (14)
7
Sources: 1Boujenane and Mharchi (1992b); 2Ben Lakhal (1983); 3Sefiani (1980); 4Lamraoui (1979); 5Dennoun
(1993); 6Chouli and Oukelmoun (1983); 7Echiguer (1988).
Notes: Number of records in parenthesis; na: not available.
weight 13.6 kg, and dressing percentage 47.7%. These values did not differ from
other estimates of carcass weight and dressing percentage (Bourfia and
Touchberry 1993a; Echiguer 1988).
While Beni Guil lambing can occur throughout the year, a 1989 study by El
Garmai of 340 lambings found that 72% were concentrated in the December
through February period, and none were recorded for June or July (Figure 3).
Studies involving 651 sheep found the weighted average age at first lambing to
be 25.3 months (Ben Lakhal 1983; Boujenane and Mharchi 1992a). In the 1983
Ben Lakhal study gestation length was found to average 149.3 days (n=138). Other
studies over the past several decades have recorded fertility, prolificacy, and 90-day
litter weight averages of 85.9%, 109%, and 16.5 kg, respectively (Table 17).
Figure 3. Lambing distribution throughout the year of Beni Guil ewes (n=340 lambings).
Source: El Garmai (1989).
472
Table 17. Reproduction performance of Beni Guil ewes.
Fertility,%
Prolificacy,%
Litter weight
at 90d, kg
Lamb survival
to 90d, %
82.5 (354)
na
92.0 (103)
na
95.0 (15)
85.0 (39)
95.0 (54)
85.9 (565)
102 (244)
108 (2335)
104 (95)
117 (830)
100 (14)
114 (36)
100 (52)
109 (3606)
13.4 (244)
16.0 (2335)
na
18.8 (830)
na
20.7 (36)
15.8 (52)
16.5 (3497)
88.8 (232)
96.0 (2354)
90.6 (107)
92.0 (957)
na
95.0 (37)
89.0 (54)
94.3 (3741)
Reference
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Weighted average
Sources: 1Ben Lakhal (1983); 2Boujenane and Mharchi (1992a); 3Lamraoui (1979); 4Dennoun (1993); 5Chouli
and Oukelmoun (1983); 6Boujenane et al. (1998); 7Bourfia and Touchberry (1993b).
Studies of 5,212 lambings by Mharchi (1991) and Boujenane (1995) recorded
single and twin litters of 94.1% and 5.9%, respectively, confirming the low prolificacy level of this breed. Lamb survival from birth to 90 days was on average
94.3% (Table 17).
Milk production
Studies of Beni Guil ewe milk yield at 8-, 12-, and 20-weeks lactation recorded
40.3 kg, 52.3 kg, and 97.9 kg, respectively (Battar 1983; Boujenane et al. 1996a;
Sefiani 1980). Although eight-week data was not recorded, overall average percentages of dry matter and fat content at 12- and 20- weeks was 19.5 and 16.4,
respectively for the former, and 8.4 and 4.3, respectively for the latter. Protein
content was similar at 5.4 and 5.6, respectively. The three studies used the weighing of the lambs before and after suckling to estimate yield.
Wool production
Various studies have shown an average fleece weight of 1.70 kg (Table 18). An
average staple length of 7.12 cm was found in one for these studies (Abdelali
1988). Other fiber traits are given in Table 18.
Sardi Sheep
The Sardi is an excellent meat breed and is highly desired for the religious celeTable 18. Wool characteristics of Beni Guil sheep.
Fleece weight, kg Staple length, cm
Fiber diameter
clean wool, %
1.83 (330)
2.12 (87)
1.95 (271)
1.44 (569)
1.70 (1257)
26.6 µm (110)
50.8 'S (87)
53.4 'S (269)
na
na
57.9 (87)
1
58.5 (87)
2
57.0 (93)
3
na
4
57.8 (267) Weighted average
7.12 (54)
na
na
na
7.12 (54)
Sources: 1Abdelali (1988); 2El Hmamsi (1986); 3Laidouni (1986); 4Mharchi (1991).
Reference
473
brations of the Eid. This may explain the increase in its number. The main management features of the breed are given in Table 19.
Table 19. Seasonal management features of Sardi sheep.
Events
Mating
Pregnancy
Lambing
Lactation
Shearing
Grazing
Stubble feeding
Concentrate feeding
Fallow
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr May
Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
The Sardi breed, sometimes
called race à lunettes, has animals with white heads and
black spots around the nose,
mouth and eyes; is thin-tailed
and the rams have strong spiral
horns. The body fleece is white
and the legs are bare. Adult
rams and ewes generally have
height at withers of 80-90 cm,
and 55-65 cm, respectively.
Sardi ram
Studies have found average birth weights of Sardi lambs at 3.64 kg for males and
3.44 kg for females. At 90 days, average weights were 20.2 kg and 19.3 kg,
respectively (Table 20). Recorded one-year average weights for males were 43.6
kg and 29 kg for females. It is generally indicated that rams and ewes weigh 70100 kg and 45-60 kg, respectively, however the adult weight (age ≥ 2 yr) averages
of several studies were slightly lower, 65.3 kg and 39.8 kg, respectively (Battar
1983; Boujenane et al. 1991b; Boutgayout 1980; Chouli and Oukelmoun 1983;
Essaadi 1984; Laghlabi 1980; Lamraoui 1979).
Studies of Sardi lambs slaughtered at 160, 168, and 171 days of age recorded
average daily gains of 201 g, 283g, and 230 g and feed conversion at 4.7, 5.41,
and 6.75 kg feed/kg gain, respectively. Average slaughter and carcass weights, and
dressing percentage in the same order, were 28.4, 45.5, 34.8 kg; 13.5, 23.2, 16.4
kg and 48, 51, 47% (Boujenane et al. 1996b; Chikhi 2000; El Aouni 2000).
474
Table 20. Body weights (kg) of Sardi lambs.
At birth
4.13 (487)
3.50 (1424)
3.47 (226)
na
3.77 (138)
3.80 (6)
4.29 (16)
3.50 (201)
3.60 (48)
3.68 (67)
3.59 (90)
3.94 (7)
3.64 (2710)
Males
At 90d
23.7 (438)
21.5 (1424)
16.6 (160)
18.7 (1420)
18.0 (43)
20.1 (65)
na
18.6 (194)
17.0 (48)
18.2 (33)
15.6 (33)
17.7 (7)
20.2 (3865)
Females
At birth
At 90d
References
3.93 (547)
3.30 (1546)
3.25 (230)
na
3.51 (118)
3.20 (4)
4.01 (16)
3.30 (219)
3.40 (42)
3.47 (59)
3.52 (97)
3.90 (6)
3.44 (2884)
21.4 (509)
1
20.5 (1546)
2
14.4 (163)
3
17.3 (724)
4
17.8 (43)
5
18.3 (48)
6
na
7
17.8 (213)
8
16.8 (42)
9
17.4 (25)
10
16.4 (37)
11
16.1 (6)
12
Sources: 1Chikhi (2000); 2Boujenane et al. (2001); 3Nacir (1987); 4Lanaia (1995); 5Ben Lakhal (1983);
6Bennouna (1980); 7Sefiani (1980); 8Laghlabi (1980); 9Lamraoui (1979); 10Boutgayout (1980); 11Essaadi (1984);
12Chouli and Oukelmoun (1983).
Studies by Boutgayout (1980) and Bouhafra (1987) recorded an average age at
first lambing of 18.7 months. Pregnancy length averaged 151 days (Ben Lakhal
1983; Chafik 1986; Chikhi 2000). Other studies over the past two-and-a-half
decades report average fertility, prolificacy, and lamb survival from birth to 90
days of 88.6%, 110%, and 94.4%, respectively. An average litter weight at 90
days was reported as 22.2 kg. (Table 21).
Combined averages from studies of over eight thousand Sardi ewes over the
past several decades have recorded single, twin, and triplet litters of 86.5%,
13.4%, and .03%, respectively (Table 22).
Sardi ewes lamb throughout the year, but 73.2% lambings occurred from
October to January (Figure 4) (Bennouna 1980; Bouhafra 1987; Ismaili 1983).
Milk production
Milk yield of Sardi ewes estimated by weighing lambs before and after suckling
averaged 59.3 kg during 12 weeks of lactation (Battar 1983) and two 8-week lactation studies reported a weighted average of 55.4 kg (Boujenane et al. 1996a; El
Aouni 2000). When estimated by the oxytocin method, the average yield was 68.5
during 10 weeks of lactation (Boujenane and Lairini 1992). Suckling in combination with hand milking allowed to obtain milk until 20 weeks of lactation with
average milk yield dry matter content, fat content and protein content of 112.7 kg,
16.9%, 4.6% and 5.8%, respectively. Sefiani (1980).
475
Table 21. Reproduction characteristics of Sardi ewes.
Fertility,%
Prolificacy,%
Litter weight
at 90d, kg
Lamb survival
to 90d, %
85.4 (226)
85.2 (473)
na
na
na
91.0 (105)
90.8 (92)
92.0 (114)
98.8 (811)
83.0 (42)
73.1 (669)
90.8 (509)
91.2 (638)
100.0 (20)
77.0 (31)
na
na
74.0 (123)
87.0 (578)
96.0 (48)
91.4 (1211)
88.6 (5690)
109 (241)
120 (725)
117 (961)
108 (2808)
107 (4840)
115 (95)
103 (84)
101 (105)
129 (793)
129 (34)
121 (489)
107 (462)
103 (579)
120 (20)
114 (26)
na
103 (85)
102 (84)
126 (432)
117 (46)
102 (1107)
110 (14016)
18.1 (241)
na
na
23.5 (2808)
na
19.1 (95)
20.6 (84)
na
27.9 (751)
28.1 (34)
na
na
na
na
19.9 (26)
na
na
na
na
18.4 (46)
16.3 (1107)
22.2 (5192)
89.6 (270)
na
na
97.0 (3038)
na
88.0 (100)
96.1
90.4 (115)
93.0 (1024)
93.0 (15)
88.3 (187)
84.2 (420)
96.5 (596)
na
94.0 (28)
96.0 (139)
na
na
na
82.0 (56)
94.8 (1145)
94.4 (7133)
Reference
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Weighted average
Sources: 1Ben Lakhal (1983); 2Chafik (1986); 3Nacir (1987); 4M'Zian (1994); 5Lanaia (1995); 6El Idrissi (2000);
7El Fadili and Leroy (1997); 8Lamraoui (1979); 9Chikhi (2000); 10Benbihi (1994); 11Essaadi (1984); 12Laghlabi
(1980); 13Bennouna (1980); 14Chouli and Oukelmoun (1983); 15Boujenane et al. (1998); 16Boujenane et al.
(1991b); 17Boujenane et al. (1991d); 18Boujenane and Bradford (1991); 19Lahlou-Kassi et al. (1989); 20Bourfia
and Touchberry (1993b); 21Boutgayout (1980).
Table 22. Frequency distribution (%) of litter size at birth in Sardi ewes.
Number of lambings
725
2808
95
3403
34
1107
725
8897
Note: na: not available.
1
Litter size at birth
2
3
78.6
84.0
91.6
88.3
70.6
97.8
78.6
86.5
21.3
16.0
8.4
11.7
29.4
2.1
21.3
13.4
0.10
na
na
na
na
0.10
0.10
0.03
Reference
Chafik (1986)
M'Zian (1994)
El Idrissi (2000)
Boujenane (1995)
Benbihi (1994)
Boutgayout (1980)
Boujenane et al. (1988)
Weighted average
476
Figure 4. Lambing distribution throughout the year of Sardi ewes (n=1641 lambings).
Sources: Calculated by author from Bouhafra (1987); Bennouna (1980); Ismaili (1983).
Wool production
Four studies of Sardi wool characteristics averaged a fleece weight of 2 kg. Only
one of these studies recorded staple length data and it reported an average of 6.43
cm (Table 23).
D’man Sheep
The D’man breed is valued for its exceptional reproductive characteristics: high
prolificacy, early puberty, short postpartum anoestrus, and long breeding season.
However, growth performance and conformation are unsatisfactory. Since the
D’man breed is kept in complete confinement, it is not well adapted to the range.
The main management features of the breed are shown in Table 24.
D’man fleece is characteristically entirely black although some animals are brown,
white or various combinations of two or all three colors. The bone structure is fine,
Table 23. Wool characteristics of Sardi sheep in Morocco.
Fleece weight, kg
Fiber diameter
Clean wool, %
1.84 (961)
1.99 (120)
1.99 (321)
2.03 (1430)
1.96 (2832)
25.3 µm (195)
53.3 'S (120)
56.3 'S (284)
na
na
60.5 (125)
60.6 (120)
59.8 (139)
na
60.3 (384)
Sources: 1Abdelali (1988); 2El Hmamsi (1986); 3Laidouni (1986); 4Chikhi (2000).
Note: Number of records in parenthesis
Reference
1
2
3
4
Weighted average
477
D’man rams
D’man ewes
Table 24. Seasonal management features of D’man sheep.
Events
Mating
Pregnancy
Lambing
Lactation
Alfalfa feeding
Concentrate feeding
Fallow
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
and the head is narrow. Rams show a convex profile and sometimes have a skin fold
on the forehead. Both sexes are polled, although rams may have weak scours. The
ears are relatively long and hang at the side of the head. The neck is long and rams
have a mane while wattles are frequent in females, but less so in males. The narrow
chest is moderately deep, the withers are prominent, and the legs are slender. The
back is curved with a short rump sloping to the tail. A thin tail emerging from the
lower part of the rump is long and usually extends below the hocks.
Height at withers in adult males ranges 60-70 cm, while in adult ewes ranges
50-55 cm.
Body weights of D’man lambs are usually lower than those of other local breeds.
Studies over the past three decades reported an average combined birth weight of
2.21 kg for males and 2.06 kg for females. Ninety-day weights averaged 14.9 kg and
13.5 kg, respectively (Table 25), and one-year weights averaged 35.2 kg for males
and 27.3 kg for females (Arif 1978; Boujenane et al. 1991b; Boutgayout 1980).
Adult weights (≥ 2 years) were 55.7 kg for rams and 39.8 for ewes (Ajjaj 1978; Arif
1978; Asserrhine 1984; Boujenane et al. 1991b; Boutgayout 1980; El-Kabbach 1977;
El Maârouf 1986; Kerfal 1995; Nacir 1987). These estimates are with the range generally indicated for adult males and females, 50-70 kg and 30-45 kg, respectively.
478
Table 25. Body weights (kg) of D'man lambs.
At birth
2.74 (932)
2.46 (818)
2.25 (208)
2.07 (1833)
2.18 (1160)
2.17 (87)
2.88 (24)
2.28 (109)
2.31 (517)
2.13 (1172)
1.92 (1505)
2.58 (17)
na
2.34 (18)
1.6
2.49 (129)
2.21 (8529)
Males
At 90d
21.7 (852)
17.5 (818)
12.9 (129)
11.7 (1036)
14.1 (916)
12.2 (25)
15.7 (24)
12.6 (42)
16.7 (386)
12.5 (949)
12.9 (806)
22.1 (17)
12.2 (77)
na
na
13.2 (67)
14.9 (6144)
Females
At birth
At 90d
References
2.55 (873)
2.23 (871)
2.15 (206)
1.98 (1784)
1.99 (1199)
1.93 (56)
2.48 (31)
2.04 (113)
2.13 (523)
1.97 (1228)
1.84 (1579)
2.27 (20)
na
2.21 (17)
1.6
2.4 (123)
2.06 (8623)
19.1 (780)
1
14.9 (871)
2
11.6 (109)
3
11.1 (947)
4
12.9 (926)
4
12.0 (25)
5
15.2 (31)
6
11.6 (30)
7
15.5 (405)
8
11.3 (983)
8
12.6 (876)
9
17.7 (20)
10
10.6 (59)
11
na
12
na
13
12.4 (54)
14
Sources: 1Kerfal (1995); 2Boujenane and Kerfal (1990); 3Nacir (1987); 4Ben Ahmed (1991);
5Ben Lakhal (1983); 6Lamraoui (1979); 7Essaadi (1984); 8Ben-Ouardi (1995); 9Benjelloun (1994); 10Behba
(1975); 11Echiguer (1988); 12El-Kabbach (1977); 13Arif (1978); 14Boutgayout (1980).
A study by El Aouni (2000) of fifty D’man lambs recorded an average daily
gain of 213 g and an average feed conversion rate of 6.63 kg feed/kg weight gain.
Slaughtered at 171 days of age the average slaughter and carcass weights were
29.5 kg and 14 kg, respectively, with an average dressing percentage of 47.2%. In
four studies the range in carcass weight and dressing percentage was 10.7-14.9 kg
and 48.1-49.5%, respectively (Boujenane et al. 1990; Bourfia and Touchberry
1993a; Echiguer 1988).
Studies between 1974 and 2000 have recorded a combined D’man ewe average
age at first lambing of 14.2 months (Arif 1978; Ben Lakhal 1983; Boutgayout
1980; El Fakir et al. 1979; Harrouni 1977; Khallouk 1987). The lambing interval
and gestation length were estimated to be 7.4 months and 150 days, respectively.
The weighted fertility and prolificacy averages were 84.8 % and 185%, respectively. The weighted average 90-day lamb survival was 86.9 % with an average
90-day litter weight of 24 kg (Table 26).
As noted above, studies have reported the D’man as having an average prolificacy of 185%, making it the most prolific of the Moroccan breeds. This high prolificacy is attributable to reported litter sizes of up to seven lambs, although the
combined average occurrences of litters with from five to seven lambs has been
479
Table 26. Reproduction characteristics of D’man ewes.
Fertility,%
Prolificacy,%
Litter weight
at 90d, kg
Lamb survival
to 90d, %
76.7 (189)
80.6 (42)
na
na
na
85.0 (103)
91.1 (77)
na
87.7 (141)
na
92.6 (944)
100.0 (55)
67.0 (38)
77.4 (146)
na
82.0 (55)
na
na
85.0 (89)
98.5 (130)
82.0 (41)
na
90.0
77.6 (1365)
88.5 (82)
90.0 (40)
na
na
91.6 (298)
84.8 (3835)
164 (90)
180 (240)
190 (345)
209 (1852)
216 (1754)
202 (87)
229 (70)
174 (2090)
181 (1334)
172 (2965)
227 (882)
160 (55)
247 (25)
201 (114)
184 (1879)
151 (45)
na
200 (70)
184 (68)
244 (105)
206 (32)
179 (482)
146 (50)
158 (2742)
209 (48)
173 (77)
184 (1895)
163 (474)
202 (273)
185 (20143)
14.7 (90)
na
na
26.8 (1852)
29.7 (1754)
21.5 (87)
27.3 (70)
na
21.9 (1334)
na
41.3 (796)
na
26.4 (25)
14.0 (146)
20.8 (1878)
na
na
na
na
na
19.4 (32)
na
na
20.7 (2742)
na
na
19.7 (1895)
na
na
24.0 (12701)
72.2 (151)
na
na
na
na
90.0 (166)
87.1
na
81.1 (2359)
na
95.2 (5994)
85.2 (210)
82.0 (32)
71.0 (222)
na
91.0 (68)
96.0 (129)
na
na
na
41.0 (58)
84.7 (857)
na
79.8 (4354)
na
na
na
90.9 (862)
86.1 (520)
86.9 (15982)
Reference
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Weighted average
Source: 1Ben Lakhal (1983); 2Chafik (1986); 3Nacir (1987); 4Khallouk (1987); 5Boujenane et al. (1991a); 6El Idrissi
(2000); 7El Fadili and Leroy (1997); 8Benjelloun (1994); 9Ben Ahmed (1991); 10Kerfal (1995); 11Lamraoui (1979);
12Benbihi (1994); 13Essaadi (1984); 14Ben-Ouardi (1995); 15Behba (1975); 16Boujenane et al. (1991b); 17Boujenane
et al. (1991d); 18Boujenane and Bradford (1991); 19Lahlou-Kassi et al. (1989); 20Bourfia and Touchberry (1993b);
21Harrouni (1977); 22Arif (1978); 23Boutgayout (1980); 24Bouix et al. (1974); 25Raymond (1978); 26Chakir (1994);
27El Fakir et al. (1979); 28Ben Lakhal et al. (1980)
less than 1%. Single, twin, triplet, and quadruplet litters represented 36.6%,
44.0%, 14.6%, and 2.95%, respectively (Figure 5).
D’man ewes are aseasonal and lamb throughout the year. Studies of lambing
frequency distributions from the late 1970s to 1980 recorded weighted averages
ranging from 4.7% in March to 12.1% in January (Arif 1978; Boutgayout 1980;
El Fakir et al. 1979; Ezzahiri et al. 1980; Harrouni 1977) (Figure 6).
480
Figure 5. Distribution of litter size at birth in D'man ewes (n = 12792 lambings).
Sources: Calculated by author from Ben Ahmed (1991); Ben Ahmed (1991); Ben Lakhal et al.
(1980); Benbihi (1994) Bouix et al. (1974); Boujenane (1989); Boujenane et al. (1988); Boutgayout
(1980); Bradford et al. (1989); Chafik (1986); El Fakir et al. (1979); El Idrissi (2000); Harrouni
(1977); Kerfal and Lberji (1997); Kerfal (1995); Khallouk (1987); Lahlou-Kassi and Marie (1985).
Figure 6. Lambing distribution throughout the year of D’man ewes (n=6496 lambings).
Sources: Arif (1978); El Fakir et al. (1979); Ezzahiri et al. (1980); Harrouni (1977).
481
Milk production
Two eight-week lactation studies recorded an average milk yield of 61.2 kg under
the WBAS method and 74.5 kg under the oxytocin method (El Aouni 2000; ElKabbach 1977). Studies of 10-week oxytocin yields recorded an average of 68.5
kg (Ajjaj 1978; Boujenane and Lairini 1992) while two 13-week WBAS studies
had a combined average yield of 83.6 kg (Asserrhine 1984; El Maarouf 1986). In
the 13-week lactation studies dry matter, fat and protein content ranged 14.8 to
16.2%, 3.4 to 4.2% and 5.3-5.4%, respectively.
Wool production
D’man sheep have light, coarse fleece that is a mixture of wool, kemp, and hair.
Studies have recorded average fleece weight and staple length of 1.00 kg and 6.71
cm, respectively. Other fleece characteristics are given in Table 27.
Table 27. Wool characteristics of D'man sheep.
Fleece weight, kg
Fiber diameter
Clean wool, %
Reference
0.98 (817)
1.16 (100)
1.02 (370)
1.00 (1287)
25.4 µm (155)
48.0 'S (100)
49.7 'S (336)
na
58.2 (72)
58.5 (100)
58.2 (73)
58.3 (245)
1
2
3
Weighted Average
Sources: 1Abdelali (1988); 2El Hmamsi (1986); 3Laidouni (1986).
Beni Ahsen Sheep
The Beni Ahsen is valued for its wool characteristics. Among the local sheep
breeds, it has the heaviest fleece and the finest wool. Some research has indicated
that the Beni Ahsen may be an ancestor of the Spanish Merino. The seasonal management features are similar to those of the Sardi given in Table 19.
The Beni Ahsen has a brown
face with a strong head conformation, and males have horns.
The fleece is white. The neck is
long with a pronounced fold and
dewlap and the shoulders are
high giving an appearance of a
hanging rump. The breed is
thin-tailed. Adult rams and ewes
have a height at withers of 80100 cm and 70 cm, respectively.
Beni Ahsen ewes
482
Studies from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s have recorded respective average body weights of males and female Beni Ahsen lambs of 3.54 kg and 3.43 kg
at birth, and 18.6 kg and 17.0 kg at 90 days (Table 28).
The weighted average of adult (≥2 years) ewe weights was 44.8 (Battar 1983;
Lamraoui 1979), whereas adult rams generally have an average body weight of
60-80 kg.
Table 28. Body weights (kg) of Beni Ahsen sheep at different ages in Morocco.
At birth
3.31 (100)
3.70 (12)
3.10 (50)
3.88 (122)
3.65 (4)
3.40
3.82 (8)
3.54 (296)
Males
At 90d
14.5 (32)
20.0 (12)
14.0 (21)
20.5 (122)
14.3 (4)
17.2
19.1 (8)
18.6 (199)
Females
At birth
At 90d
3.10 (75)
4.00 (18)
2.90 (50)
3.75 (113)
3.40 (9)
3.10
4.03 (8)
3.43 (273)
13.5 (32)
17.7 (18)
12.3 (13)
18.7 (113)
13.7 (9)
15.3
16.4 (8)
17.0 (193)
References
1
2
2
3
4
5
6
Weighted average
Sources: 1Ben Lakhal (1983); 2Zari (1979); 3Lamraoui (1979); 4Chouli and Oukelmoun (1983); 5Bourbouze
(1974); 6Bouiala (1977).
Note: Number of records in parenthesis.
Beni Ahsen ewes generally lamb for the first time at 24.9 months of age and a
gestation length of 149.9 days (Ben Lakhal 1983). Studies from the mid-1970s to
the mid-1980s recorded a weighted average fertility and prolificacy of 85.6%
(n=1091) and 104% (n=876), respectively (Bourbouze 1974; Ben Lakhal 1983;
Chouli and Oukelmoun 1983; Lamraoui 1979; Zari 1979). The Ben Lakhal study
reported lamb survival rates from birth to 90 days at 89.6% (n = 221) and
Lamraoui (1979) a slightly higher survival at 93% (n = 401).
Bourbouze (1974) and Zari (1979) reported that 81% of lambings were concentrated in the period from November to February (Figure 7).
Milk production
Two 10-week lactation WBAS studies recorded average milk yields of 70.9 kg
(Kabbali 1976) and 64.4 kg (Zari 1979). Twelve-week lactation studies reported
an average 57.4 kg yield by using the weight differences of lambs before and after
suckling (WD) (Battar 1983) and an average yield of 113.7 kg using oxytocin
(Zari 1979). A 14-week lactation study (Bouiala 1977) reported an average yield
under the WD method of 81 kg while the oxytocin method average yield was 132
kg. Another 14-week study also reported a relatively high average yield of 111 kg
(Kabbali 1976). Dry matter, fat and protein content ranged 22.1 to 22.3%, 9.9 to
10.6% and 5.0 to 5.5 (Bouiala 1977; Kabbali 1976).
483
Figure 7. Lambing distribution throughout the year of Beni Ahsen ewes (n=423 lambings).
Sources: Bourbouze (1974) and Zari (1979).
Wool production
As mentioned earlier, Beni Ahsen sheep are valued for their wool quality and quantity. Weight average fleece weight and fiber fineness score has been recorded as 2.7
kg and 52.9 ‘S, respectively. Other fleece characteristics are given in Table 29.
Boujaâd Sheep
The most important characteristics of the Boujaâd are its high growth rate and
good conformation. It has a promising future for the improvement of meat production in Morocco. The seasonal management features are similar to those of the
Sardi given in Table 30.
The Boujaâd sheep have white to yellowish face with a white fleece. They are
sturdy animals with a robust bone structure and a strong head, with rams having
large horns. The breed is thin-tailed.
Table 29. Wool characteristics of Beni Ahsen sheep.
Fleece weight, kg
Fiber fineness score
2.64 (176)
2.96 (60)
2.60 (169)
2.67 (405)
na
49.7 'S (60)
54.1 'S (162)
52.9 'S (222)
Clean wool, %
Reference
57.3 (55)
56.6 (60)
55.5 (60)
56.4 (175)
1
2
3
Weighted average
Sources: 1Abdelali (1988); 2El Hmamsi (1986); 3Laidouni (1986).
Notes: In parenthesis Number of records; na: not available.
484
Table 30. Seasonal management features of Atlas Mountain.
Events
Mating
Pregnancy
Lambing
Lactation
Shearing
Grazing
Concentrate feeding
Fallow
Jan
Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Boujaâd ram
Boujaâd ewe
Studies have reported average birth weights, 90-day weights and yearling weights
of males as 3.95 kg (n = 802), 22.7 kg (n = 710) and 58.5 kg (n = 71), respectively, whereas in females the respective weights were 3.72 kg (n=804) 20 .8 kg (n =
736) and 47.7 kg (n = 86) (Chikhi and Boujenane 2000). Adult rams have weight
range of 75-80 adult ewes of 45-60 kg. Based on records taken from 467 adult
ewes (≥ 2 years) El Fadili (2000) reported a slightly lighter weight of 40.1 kg.
Two studies in 2000 of 214 Boujaâd lambs reported a weighted average daily
gain and feed conversion at fattening of 268 g and 7.36 kg feed/ kg weight gain,
respectively. Slaughtered at an average age of 168 days with an average weight of
42.3 kg, the average carcass weight and dressing percentages yielded 18.1 kg, and
50.1%, respectively (Chikhi and Boujenane 2000; El Fadili 2000).
Pregnancy length averaged 151.4 days (n = 1212) (Chikhi and Boujenane 2000).
Available studies did not record the average age at first lambing for the Boujaâd,
but average fertility and prolificacy, rates of 97.2% (n = 1390) and 128% (n =
1345), respectively, were recorded. The average lamb survival to 90 days rate was
reported at 91.5% (n = 1711) and 90-day litter weight averaged 26 kg (n = 1269)
(Chikhi and Boujenane 2000; El Fadili 2000).
485
A study analyzing 1,307 lambing reported that 94% of the litters were single
births, with only 6% twin births (Boujenane 1995).
Wool production
The weighted average Boujaâd fleece weight was recorded as 3.10 kg (n = 2228)
(Abdelali 1988; Chikhi and Boujenane 2000; El Fadili 2000). The study by
Abdelali (1988) reported staple length as 6.15 cm, and fiber diameter as 26.2 mm.
Atlas Mountain Sheep
The main characteristic reported for the Atlas Mountain breeds is their hardiness.
The management features of the breed are shown in Table 30.
Generally, Atlas Mountain sheep have a short neck, straight back, small head, coarse
and open fleece, and a thin tail. However, there are some characteristics specific to
certain variations of this breed. The Aknoul and Ait Barka variations are black, and
the former has short ears, and in the Ait Mohad variation, both males and females
are polled. Height at withers in males and females range 55-60 cm.
Birth weights of Atlas Mountain breeds are low. Studies have recorded male average weights at birth, 90 days and 1 year as 1.6 kg, 6.71 kg, and 23 kg, respectively. Averages recorded for female lambs were 1.74 kg, 5.9 kg and 14.4 kg, respectively. Adult weights were 27.5 kg for males and 20.5 kg for females (Benazzi
1987; Boudiab 1981; Chami 1982; Chraibi 1985) (Table 31).
Atlas Mountain breed studies from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s have reported
a combined average age at first lambing of 21.9 months and an average lamb survival rate from birth to 90 days of 81.6% (Table 32). The studies showed a satisTable 31. Body weights (kg) of Atlas Mountain sheep at different ages in Morocco.
Sex
At birth
At 90d
One year
of age
Adult weight
(age ≥ 2 years)
Reference
Males
1.75 (44)
1.60 (148)
1.80 (9)
1.60 (10)
1.64 (211)
6.73 (44)
6.58 (148)
6.40 (9)
9.30 (8)
6.71 (209)
na
21.9
18.0 (4)
25.5 (8)
23.0 (12)
31.0
28.7
19.5
31.0
27.5
1
2
3
4
Weighted average
Females
1.90 (35)
1.70 (132)
1.65 (10)
1.50 (10)
1.72 (187)
6.20 (35)
5.78 (132)
5.66 (10)
7.60 (7)
5.9 (184)
na
17.5
14.1 (9)
20.5 (8)
17.1 (18)
25.0
19.7
16.9
24.0
21.4
1
2
3
4
Weighted average
Sources: 1Chami (1982); 2Boudiab (1981); 3Benazzi (1987); 4Chraibi (1985).
486
Table 32. Reproduction characteristics of Atlas Mountain ewes.
Age at 1st
lambing, mo
Lambing
interval, mo
Fertility,
%
Prolificacy,
%
Lamb survival
to 90d, %
22.9 (136)
19.4 (170)
na
24.0 (135)
24.0
21.9 (441)
12.3 (123)
10.6 (193)
na
13.0
na
11.3 (316)
86
84
96
88.8 (135)
na
88.8 (135)
100
100
100
100 (120)
na
100 (120)
48.8
64.2
na
81.6 (114)
na
81.6 (114)
Reference
1
2
3
4
5
WA
Sources: 1Chami (1982); 2Boudiab (1981); 3Bourbouze (1977); 4Benazzi (1987); 5Chraibi (1985).
Notes: Number of records in parenthesis; na: not available; WA: Weighted average.
factory fertility rate of 88.8%, but a rather low prolificacy level (100%), mainly
due to the harsh prevailing environment.
The ewes lamb once a year with an average lambing interval of 11.3 months.
The majority of lambings, 76.8%, occurred from December to March (Figure 8).
Wool production
The fleece weight of the Atlas Mountain breeds was on average 1.21 kg, varying
from 1.00 kg to 1.50 kg (Benazzi 1987; Boudiab 1981; Chami 1982).
Genetic Parameter Estimates for Some Breeds of Morocco
The majority of studies conducted in Morocco have been concerned with the effects
of environmental factors on reproduction and production performance. The traits that
were most studied were lamb birth weight, preweaning body weight, average daily
gain (ADG), preweaning mortality, and carcass characteristics of lambs, fertility, prolificacy, and milk yield for ewes. For lamb traits, the most important effects that were
Figure 8. Lambing distribution throughout the year of Atlas Mountain ewes (n=443 lambings).
Sources: Chami (1982); Boudiab (1981); Benazzi (1987).
487
studied were age of dam, sex, type of birth and rearing, and period of birth. For ewe
traits, the factors that were most studied were age of ewe and period of lambing.
The most significant findings for all breeds were.
• Lamb body weights and ADG increased progressively as the age of the dam
increased, reached a maximum when the dam was five to six years old and
then decreased slightly. Male lambs were heavier than female lambs at any
given age. Type of birth and rearing was the most important source of variation
in weights and growth. Single-born lambs were consistently the heaviest at all
ages. In general, within the same type of rearing, the advantage was with those
born in small litters. When born in winter and early spring lambs were heavier
than in summer (Ben Ahmed 1991; Ben Lakhal 1983; Bendriss 1999;
Boujenane and Kerfal 1990; Boujenane and Mharchi 1992b; Boujenane et al.
1991b; El Kihal 1990; M’Zian 1994; Tijani 1990).
• Lamb survival was lower for lambs from young ewes than from adult ewes.
Male and female lambs did not differ in survival statistics, and survival was
greatly influenced by litter size. Mortality increased with litter size, which is in
part due to the small birth weight found in larger litters (Boujenane and
Mharchi 1992b; El Kihal 1990; M’zian 1994).
• Reproduction performance tended to increase as the ewe became older.
However, the effect of the mating/lambing period on reproduction performance
depends mainly on the nutrition provided in that season (Boujenane and
Mharchi 1992a; Boujenane et al. 1991a; Chafik 1986; M’zian 1994).
Repeatability and heritability for reproduction, body weights and fleece traits
were estimated for Timahdite, Beni Guil, Sardi, and D’man sheep. Available estimates are reported in Tables 33 and 34. The estimates differ from one researcher
Table 33. Estimates of repeatability (r) of production traits of Moroccan sheep.
Traits
r
D'man
n
ME
r
Sardi
n
ME
r
Birth LS
0.18
0.14
0.11
0.24
0.27
98
345
1754
316
109
IC9
IC9
IC1
IC2
OC1
0.11
0.15
0.09
0.20
na
281
962
2808
758
na
IC5
IC9
IC8
IC2
na
0.11
na
na
na
na
1255
na
na
na
na
IC6
na
na
na
na
0.11
na
na
na
na
2335
na
na
na
na
IC3
na
na
na
na
Birth LW
0.12
1754
IC1
0.07
2812
IC8
0.08
1255
IC6
0.20
2335
IC3
Weaning LS
0.13
0.04
0.11
na
40
303
1754
na
IC5
IC9
IC1
na
0.17
0.05
0.03
0.18
40
884
2808
314
IC5
IC9
IC8
OC4
0.03
na
na
na
948
na
na
na
IC6
na
na
na
0.10
na
na
na
2335
na
na
na
IC3
na
na
na
Weaning LW
0.12
0.19
0.15
94
305
1754
IC5
IC1
IC1
0.19
0.16
0.03
239
880
2808
IC5
IC9
IC8
0.01
na
na
948
na
na
IC6
na
na
0.15
na
na
2335
na
na
IC3
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
0.63
569
IC7
Fleece weight
na
na
Timahdite
n
ME
r
Beni Guil
n
ME
Sources: 1Boujenane et al. (199a); 2Boujenane et al. (1991c); 3Boujenane and Mharchi (1992a); 4Bradford et al.
(1989); 5Chafik (1986); 6El Kihal (1990); 7Mharchi (1991); 8M’Zian (1994); 9Nacir (1987).
Notes: ME: method of estimation; IC: Intraclass correlation via fitting constants procedure; OC: Ordinary parwise correlation; na: not available; LS: Litter size; LW: Litter weight.
488
Table 34. Estimates of heritability (h2) of production traits of Moroccan sheep.
Traits
h2
D'man
n
ME
h2
Sardi
n
ME
Birth LS
0.16
0.23
0.09
55
143
1052
PHS8
PHS12
PHS4
0.10
0.24
0.10
0.10
58
159
2001
58
PHS8
PHS12
PHS13
PHS8
0.04 1567
0.07 347
PHS6
POR6
na
na
na
Birth LW
0.15
1052
PHS4
0.08
2001
PHS13
0.19 1567
0.03 347
PHS6
POR6
na
na
na
Weaning LS
0.11
0.04
43
1052
PHS8
PHS4
0.09
0.14
0.07
51
146
2001
PHS8
PHS12
PHS13
0.09 1567
0.05 347
PHS6
POR6
na
na
na
Weaning LW
0.11
0.08
52
1052
PHS8
PHS4
0.02
0.21
0.08
57
146
2001
PHS8
PHS12
PHS13
0.13 1567
0.03 347
PHS6
POR6
na
na
na
Birth weight
0.34
1689
PHS3
0.21
2970
PHS5
0.15 2226
0.43 653
PHS7
POR7
0.16
0.02
0.15
0.18
883
359
2406
522
na
0.12 2226
0.20 653
PHS7
POR7
na
Weaning weight
na
90-day weight
0.52
Fleece weight
na
na
1689
na
na
PHS3
na
0.10
na
na
na
2970
na
PHS5
na
h2
Beni Guil
n
ME
na
na
0.53
543
na
PHS11
h2
Timahdite
n
ME
0.12
0.11
0.06
0.50
na
POR10
POR14
REML2
REML9
na na
289
617
359
522
POR10
POR1
POR14
REML9
na na
Sources: Asrary (1992); Bendriss (1999); Boujenane and Kerfal (1990); Boujenane et al. (1991a); 5Boujenane
et al. (2001); 6Boujenane and Mharchi (1992a); 7Boujenane and Mharchi (1992b); 8Chafik (1986); 9El Fadili et
al. (2000); 10El Kihal (1990); 11Mharchi (1991); 12Nacir (1987); 13M’Zian (1994); 14Tijani and Boujenane (1993)
Notes: ME: Method of estimation : REM: Animal model using REML (Restricted Maximum Likelihood) procedure; PHS: Using fitting constants procedures on paternal half sibs records; POR: paternal offspring regression;
na: not available; LS: Litter size; LW: Litter weight.
1
2
3
4
to another and also according to the method of estimation used. Nevertheless,
repeatability and heritability estimates for litter traits were in general low, and heritability estimates for growth traits were in general medium. These parameters
were not estimated for the other breeds of sheep, or for goat breeds.
Repeatability estimates of litter traits of Timahdite ewes varied from 0.01 for
litter weight at weaning to 0.11 for litter size at birth. Heritability for weight at
birth and at 90 days for Timahdite lambs varied from 0.02 to 0.18 and from 0.06
to 0.50, respectively (Table 34). Repeatability estimates of litter traits of Beni Guil
ewes varied from 0.10 for litter size at weaning to 0.20 for litter weight at birth
(Table 33). Heritability estimates for litter traits using paternal half-sibs varied
from 0.04 for litter size at birth to 0.19 for litter weight at birth, whereas estimates
obtained from parent-offspring regression varied from 0.03 to 0.07. Repeatability
and heritability estimates of fleece weight were 0.63 and 0.53, respectively.
Heritability for birth and weaning weights of Beni Guil lambs were 0.15 and 0.12,
489
respectively when estimated using the paternal half-sibs method, and 0.43 and
0.20 when estimated by the parent-offspring regression method.
Fleece weight repeatability was estimated by Mharchi (1991) as 0.63 (n=569).
Repeatability estimates of Sardi ewes were on average 0.14 for litter size at
birth, 0.07 for litter weight at birth, 0.11 for litter size at weaning, and 0.13 for litter weight at weaning. Heritability estimates were 0.15, 0.08, 0.10, and 0.10,
respectively. Birth and weaning weights of Sardi lambs had heritability estimates
of 0.10 (Tables 33 and 34).
D’man ewes repeatability estimates for litter size at birth, litter weight at birth,
litter size at weaning, and litter weight at weaning respective averages were 0.19,
0.12, 0.09, and 0.15. The respective heritability estimates were 0.16, 0.15, 0.07,
and 0.09, Lamb estimates of heritability for birth and weaning weights were 0.34
and 0.52, respectively (Table 33 and 34).
Genetic Improvement Programs
In 1980, the Ministry of Agriculture initiated a plan for sheep improvement called
Plan Moutonnier. The most important aspects of this plan were:
• Organization of the national territory into three zones according to the available
genetic and agricultural resources:
- Breeding area zones (Zones berceaux de race): Allowing only the breed
that has existed in these areas for many years;
- Crossbreeding zones (Zones de croisement): Allowing crossbreeding, principally terminal;
- Traditional sheep breeding zones (Zones d’élevage traditionnel): Allowing
multiple varieties of sheep with no specific breed predominating.
• Organization of selection programs for improvement of local breeds in their
specific areas;
• Organization of farmers into professional societies;
• Encouragement for farmers to improve and valorize local breeds.
During the same time period, the National Sheep and Goat Association
(Association Nationale Ovine et Caprine, ANOC) was created. The main purpose
of this society was to be a link between the Livestock Office of the Ministry of
Agriculture and the farmers, to help its breeder member’s farmers to establish
selection programs and to apply sound husbandry practices. Within ANOC, farmers
have been organized in geographic cooperatives (groupements) of approximately
50 farmers per cooperative to follow improvements in selection, reproduction,
nutrition, and health care.
The number of breeder cooperatives affiliated with ANOC has steadily
increased from five in 1984 to approximately 40 in 2000. The number of supervised farms in the ANOC program has also grown during the same time period
from 50 to around 2,800. Table 35 gives other details of the ANOC program.
490
Table 35. Evolution of ANOC program.
Cooperatives, farms and animals involved
1984
1990
1996
2000†
Breeder cooperatives
Breeds
Supervised farms
Farms involved in performance recording
Ewes supervised
Ewes recorded
5
3
50
na
40,000
na
11
4
420
49
136,000
3,600
27
5
1,547
142
340,000
16,035
40
5
2,800
156
450,000
19,500
Sources: ANOC (2000); Ben Lakhal (2000); Outmani (2000).
Notes: †Approximate numbers; na: not available.
In the early 1980s, the National Commission for Selection and Branding
(Commission Nationale de Sélection et de Marquage, CNSM) was also created. It
is composed of sheep experts, animal production people, the Livestock Office,
and the regional Extension Services. Each year, from March to May, the commission visits registered flocks affiliated with ANOC in order to select ram and ewe
lambs of approximately 18-months that are in conformity with the breed standard
and that have superior growth, satisfactory conformation, and good fleece. Since
1999 ANOC has based its selection on growth records that are available through
the performance recording system.
Rams are selected and ranked in four categories: superior, 1st, 2nd and 3rd
according to the established criteria. These animals are then registered in the
breed flock-book (Table 36).
In April 1988, an open nucleus flock selection program was established in the
Timahdite breeding area (Middle Atlas) for ewe maternal ability and lamb growth
improvement. The program was initially financed by UNDP-FAO for a period of
five years. The nucleus flock was placed at the Sidi Aissa station and was composed of the best 550 ewes screened from the selection flocks supervised by
ANOC. These flocks constitute the selection base. Each year ram lambs from the
nucleus are selected on the basis of the maternal ability selection index (using the
lambs’ average daily gain from 10 to 30 days as a selection criterion) and the
ewe’s selection index for average daily gain from 30 to 70 days. The top rams
were kept in the nucleus, others were sold to selection base-flock farmers, and the
worst were culled. Also, each year the best ewes in the selection base were introduced into the nucleus. From the project’s beginning 54 excellent ram lambs were
produced by the nucleus, and 1,090 ram lambs and 4,490 ewe lambs from the
selection base flocks were registered in the Timahdite flock-book. At present the
project is continuing, but under severe financial constraints.
Table 36. Number of animals registered in the breed flock-book.
Animals registers in flock books
1988
1990
1994
1998
2000
Ram lambs
Ewe lambs
1184
1677
1629
3328
2609
6641
4569
10601
3988
13908
Sources: ANOC (2000); Ben Lakhal (2000); Outmani (2000).
491
Since 1997, Timahdite selection indices for average daily gain from 10 to 30
days and 30 to 70 days were estimated by ANOC from records available through
the performance recording procedure.
In addition to the selection program conducted at the national level by the
CNSM and the Timahdite selection program, some selection is also performed on
other stations, either on government or research institution property. Each station
keeps a flock of 100 to 200 ewes of a specified breed. The performance of the
flock is recorded and selection is often based on phenotypic performance.
In Morocco, there is also an important crossbreeding activity. The purpose is to
produce well-conformed lambs that weigh 24 to 26 kg at about four months of
age. This activity is practiced because consumers prefer young lambs (i.e. restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets). Farmers that practice crossbreeding are grouped
into two cooperatives that are affiliated with ANOC. Crossbreeding systems are
found around the big cities, in areas where feed resources are available, and in
zones in which this activity is allowed by the Plan Moutonnier. In 1997, the
crossbreeding cooperatives consisted of 1,579 flocks, with 330,906 supervised
ewes. In this system, ewes that are used for mating are usually purchased from
breeding areas and represent those that are culled by the CNSM for non-conformity to the breed standard, but are still able to reproduce. The principal crossbreeding method practiced is commercial crossbreeding for the production of crossbred
F1 lambs. The most important sire breeds used are Ile de France and Mérinos
Précoce. All local breeds are used as dam lines, but the most important breeds
involved are the Timahdite and Beni Guil.
Some crossbreeding experiments have also been conducted in experimental
research stations. These trials involved either local breeds only, or exotic sire
breeds and local ewes. The experiments included crossbreeding between Sardi and
D’man breeds in order to understand the inheritance of litter size and its components in these breeds (Boujenane 1989). This was to determine whether the difference in litter sizes in these breeds was quantitative, or whether highly effective
segregating genes were involved. Although the study involved a small number of
offspring, the results of segregation ratios and progeny tests do not support the
hypothesis of a segregating major gene for ovulation rate in D’man sheep, but
indicate that the trait is polygenically inherited.
A diallel cross involving D’man, Sardi, and Beni Guil breeds was conducted to
study the general and specific combining abilities of each breed (Bourfia and
Touchberry 1993 a,b). It was concluded that Sardi could be used as a sire breed and
Beni Guil could be used as a dam breed to increase the income from sheep production.
In another trial, Boujenane et al. (1996 a,b; 1998) compared three exotic sirebreeds (Ile de France, Mérinos Précoce, and Suffolk) crossed with ewes of three
local breeds (Timahdite, Beni Guil, and Sardi) to find the ram breed that is most
suitable for each breed of ewes. This study showed that productivity of local ewes
bred to Ile de France, Mérinos Précoce, and Suffolk was higher than that of ewes
mated to local rams. The results also indicate that in commercial farms where
492
conditions are favorable, productivity of local breeds can be increased through
crossing local ewes with rams of meat-type breeds, among which Ile de France
seems to give the best results.
Some experiments were also conducted to compare mating types involving
purebred D’man, purebred Lacaune, and terminal crossbreeding using prolific
local ewes, nonprolific local ewes, or crossbred ewes in a relatively extensive
management system (Boujenane and Kansari 2001). Results of this study indicate
that under pasture conditions where a comparison was made between purebred
D’man, purebred Lacaune, and terminal-sire crossbreeding using prolific local
ewes, nonprolific local ewes, or crossbred ewes, the advantage was, with regard to
litter weight weaned, for mating types involving purebred or crossbred D’man
ewes over matings using nonprolific local ewes. The superiority of these ewes,
because of high litter size, makes D’man sheep and their crosses suitable as the
female stock for improving lamb production. However, it should be emphasized
that the advantage of terminal-sire crossbreeding using crossbred ewes may be
offset by the associated managerial problems.
A similar crossbreeding experiment involving Timahdite and F1 (D’man x
Timahdite) as dam lines, and Ile de France, Lacaune, and Mérinos Précoce as sire
lines, was conducted to compare the terminal sire breeds for meat production (El
Fadili and Leroy 2000). It was concluded that the Ile de France breed, as terminal
sire, seems more suitable for lamb production whereas the Lacaune breed appears
to be more suitable under less intensive lamb production systems.
In 2000 there were two programs for the development of two new breeds of
sheep based on D’man germplasm. The first synthetic breed has 50% D’man and
50% Sardi genes and is suitable for regions where feeding and management are
favorable and where increased twinning is desired, but higher multiples are not
(Boujenane 2000). The second new breed having 50% D’man and 50% Beni Guil
genes is suitable for less favorable regions (Bourfia 2000).
Goat Breed Characterization
Atlas Mountain Goat
The Atlas Mountain goat head has a fine bone structure with a convex nose and
broad, often pendulous, ears. The neck is long, very often carrying wattles ending
in a deep breast. The tail insertion is high. The skin is thin and well lined with
long black hair, the predominant color. Males and females may both have horns
that are generally flat at the bottom of the horn and pushed back, at the ends the
horns are twisted.
Considerable variation is found in height at withers that in adult animals
ranges 50-65 cm displaying great variation.
493
Atlas Mountain buck
Atlas Mountain doe
Studies during the 1980s reported weighted average body weights at birth, 90
days, and one year of 1.37 kg, 5.22 kg, and 18.3 kg, respectively, for males, and
1.25 kg, 4.53 kg, and 13.9 kg, respectively, for females. Adult weight for males
was recorded at 27.0 kg and at 17.0 kg for females (Benazzi 1987; Boudiab 1981;
Chami 1982; Chraibi 1985) (Table 37).
Atlas Mountain goat studies between the late 1970s and the early 1980s reported
weighted average age at first kidding as 19.3 (n=670) months. Kidding interval
was 9.9 months (n = 257) (Belhassan 1976; Benazzi 1987; Boudiab 1981;
Bourbouze 1977; Chami 1982; Chraibi 1985).
Weighted average fertility and prolificacy was 92.5% and 102%, respectively
(Table 38). Because of harsh raising conditions, kid mortality from birth to 90
days averaged 23.4%.
The distribution of kiddings throughout the year in Figure 9 shows that while
kidding could occur any month in the year 62.13% of kidding occurring from
January to April.
Litter sizes at birth were from one to three kids, with an average prolificacy of
102%. A study by Hachi and Lahlou-Kassi (1989) of 447 kiddings reported frequency rates for single, twin, and triplet litters of 85.5%, 14.3%, and 0.45%,
respectively.
Table 37. Body weights (kg) of Atlas Mountain goats at different ages.
Male
At birth
90 -days
1 year
1.30 (48)
1.48 (15)
1.50 (15)
na
1.37 (78)
5.00 (48)
5.00 (15)
7.50 (10)
4.50 (12)
5.22 (85)
na
16.1 (10)
21.0 (8)
19.6
18.3 (18)
≥2 years
At birth
Female
90 -days
1 year
27.0
24.5
30.0
26.5
27.0
1.20 (52)
1.20 (18)
1.50 (15)
na
1.25 (85)
4.40 (52)
4.40 (18)
6.70 (10)
3.50 (12)
4.53 (92)
Sources: 1Chami (1982); 2Benazzi (1987); 3Chraibi (1985); 4Boudiab (1981).
Notes: In parenthesis number of records; na: Not available.
na
12.7 (14)
16.0 (8)
12.4
13.9 (22)
≥2 years Reference
23.0
16.2
20.0
19.0
17.0
1
2
3
4
Weighted
average
494
Table 38. Reproduction characteristics of Atlas Mountain goats.
Fertility, %
Prolificacy,%
96
78
99
99.0 (350)
93.4 (959)
84.2 (380)
92.5 (1689)
107
104
102
100 (345)
103 (896)
100 (320)
102 (1561)
Kid survival to
90 days, %
69.2
60.8
na
na
91.0
76.6 (252)
76.6 (252)
Reference
1
2
3
4
5
6
Wtd. average
Sources: 1Chami (1982); 2Boudiab (1981); 3Bourbouze (1977); 4Belhassan (1976); 5Hacib and Zafati (1981);
6Benazzi (1987).
Figure 9. Lambing distribution throughout the year of Atlas Mountain goats (n=1767 kidding).
Sources: Chami (1982); Boudiab (1981); Belhassan (1976); Hacib and Zafati (1981); Benazzi
(1987).
Milk production
A 1976 survey in the valleys of the western High Atlas (Belhassan 1976), reported
an average milk yield of 31.5 kg, while a 1981 survey by Hacib and Zafati in the
Chaouen region recorded average yields from 63 to 126 kg. The goats in both surveys were milked by hand.
Fiber production
Studies from the mid-1970s through the mid-1980s reported an average hair yield
for Atlas Mountain goats of 0.31 kg, varying from 0.25 kg to 0.40 kg (Belhassan
1976; Benazzi 1987; Boudiab 1981; Chami 1982).
D’man Goat
The D’man head has a fine bone structure and triangular form with pendulous
495
ears. The neck is medium in size with wattles. The animals are often polled in
both sexes. The hair covering is short and most commonly brown, although some
animals are black, white, or various combinations of two or all three colors.
Though with large variations, male and female adult animals have a height at
withers of 58-69 cm.
A study of 152 animals by Ezzahiri and Ben Lakhal (1989) reported average
weights at birth and at 90 days for D’man goats of 2.3 kg and 10.3 kg, respectively. Weights at six months averaged 14.3 kg and at ≥2 years averaged 30 kg.
The same study reported D’man fertility and prolificacy rates of 88.9% and 158%,
respectively, with a kidding interval of nine months. An 88.2% rate for kid survival from birth to 90 days was recorded, with an average 90-day litter weight of
14.3 kg.
D’man goats kid more than once a year and are not seasonal kidders. However,
Ezzahiri and Ben Lakhal observed that the majority of kiddings occurred in
December, February, and March (Figure 10).
Litter size at birth varied from one to three kids; with single, twin, and triplet
litters representing 36.0%, 57.0%, and 7.0%, respectively.
Milk production
Ezzahiri and Ben Lakhal recorded D’man an average milk yield obtained by manual milking of 142 liters during five months of lactation.
Figure 10. Lambing distribution throughout the year of D’man goats (n=152 kidding).
Source: Ezzahiri and Ben Lakhal (1989).
496
Genetic Parameter Estimates and Improvement Programs
Only limited studies have been conducted on goats, and systematic breeding studies leading to the assessment of genetic parameters are not available.
There have been no official selection programs established for improving local
goat breeds. However, in the north of the country (Chefchaouen, Tetouan, and
other places) where people have traditionally consumed goat cheese, farmers have
performed some crossbreeding in order to improve the milk production of their
goats. In this crossbreeding, exogenous Andalusian bucks from mainly the
Murciana, Granadina, and Malaga breeds were crossed with local goats.
Future Prospects for Small Ruminant
Production in Morocco
Small ruminants have a promising future in Morocco. According to projections,
sheep meat production should increase by 2.5% annually by the year 2020 in
order to satisfy human demand.
The major Moroccan sheep breeds: Timahdite, Beni Guil, Sardi, D’man, Beni
Ahsen, and Boujaâd, are well adapted to the generally arid conditions and climatic
extremes of the region, but, with the exception of the D’man, are characterized by
low productivity. The two main factors for this low productivity are:
• Relatively low reproductive rates, due to low conception rates (70-80%), low
prolificacy (typically < 1.1), and high lamb mortality (15-30%).
• Extensive management with seasonal periods of limited quantity and low quality forage, resulting in low growth rates and consequent low carcass weights
(~12 kg).
These constraints are primarily nutritional and environmental, but the low prolificacy has a genetic basis as a result of long-term natural selection in an environment unfavorable to survival of lambs as multiples. The major breeds of the country also have a restricted breeding season that would limit accelerated lambing,
but lambing more often than once a year is unlikely to become a recommended
practice.
On the other hand, a very extensive irrigated agriculture has developed in
Morocco in recent decades, totaling approximately 1.2 million ha. This system
creates a need for stocks of sheep that are more prolific than the majority of
Moroccan breeds. This is necessary in order to realize an adequate return, in terms
of increased output, for the increased inputs available in this production system.
For these reasons, a breed that will contribute substantially to production in the
future is the D’man. Because of its exceptional reproduction characteristics: high
litter size, long breeding season, and early puberty; the D’man breed can be used
either as a pure breed or in crossbreeding to produce F1 ewes, or for developing
new breeds.
497
In Morocco, sheep are used primarily for meat production, not for milk production. Nevertheless, a very small number of sheep farmers do milk ewes for
family consumption. It is not probable that this will change in the near future.
Since the 1980s, however, there has been a great increase in goat milk cheese production in the vicinity of large cities, especially in the north of the country. In
view of the increasing demand for goat cheese in Morocco, a promising gap in the
market is indicated.
In Morocco the diversity of some sheep breeds such as the Atlas Mountain
breeds are at risk while others are threatened (see Table 8). Three steps that can be
taken to overcome these threats is 1) to make an inventory of these breeds, 2) to
characterize them, and 3) to set up selection programs to improve their performance.
A threatened breed is the Beni Ahsen. Many studies have reported that this
breed has very interesting wool characteristics. Because Morocco imports a large
quantity of wool in order to satisfy the local textile industry, one method for valorizing this resource is to set up a selection program for the improvement of wool
characteristics.
Improved sources of germplasm are found with farmers that are affiliated with
the National Sheep and Goat Association (ANOC), as well as at government
selection farms that are located in the Timahdite, Sardi, Beni Guil and D’man
breeding areas. During the March-April period of each year, the National
Commission for Selection and Branding visits the selection flocks of the ANOC,
ranking animals in four categories. Farmers concerned with improving germplasm
can then purchase live animals from their owners given that artificial insemination
in small ruminants is, for all practical purposes, absent.
References
Abdelali, A. 1988. Contribution à l’estimation des facteurs de correction des effets du milieu pour
les caractères lainiers. Mémoire de 3ème Cycle Agronomie, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire
Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco.
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Small ruminant breed in Morocco

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